An Emotional White Coat Ceremony for VinUniversity Medical Students

Right after the Convocation Ceremony for the 2022 – 2023 academic year, VinUniversity College of Health Sciences hosted a White Coat Ceremony for students in the Medical Doctor, Bachelor of Nursing, and Graduate Medical Education Programs. 

What makes the White Coat Ceremony so special?

Similar to a coming-of-age ceremony, the White Coat Ceremony signifies a new and important milestone in the life of every medical student. They will now embark on their professional journey in healthcare – a long journey full of challenges, joy, satisfaction, and humanity.

Emotional tears were shed, as parents witnessed the moment their child put on the prestigious white blouse of the medical profession. This was not only a proud moment but also the moment these young people took on great responsibilities. In this solemn atmosphere, the Hippocratic Oath (from the Geneva Declaration) resounded, reaffirming the ethics and commitment of medical practitioners.

The event was held concurrently for Medical Doctor, Bachelor of Nursing, and Graduate Medical Education students. In the future, they will work together as a team. Prof. Glen Gaulton, Director of the Center of Global Health said: “Collaborative activity and teamwork are essential in many fields but especially in medicine. Knowledge of medicine doubles nearly every 3 months, and as a result, it is impossible to be an expert in everything – we must rely on our peers for support to be the best we can be. It is a sign of strength, not weakness to recognize that we might need help solving a problem or answering a question. You will each see this with your classmates, and you should celebrate the distinctive insight and knowledge that each of you brings to your profession.”

“Working together can change the world and that is the system we are teaching you here at VinUni”, Assoc. Prof. Julie Sochalski, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania emphasized. The University of Pennsylvania is VinUniversity’s strategic partner in curriculum design and validation for the College of Health Sciences.

The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere, with the attendance of VinUniversity students, parents, and representatives from Vinmec, 108 Military Central Hospital, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Also as part of the ceremony, the College of Health Sciences appointed 73 affiliate and adjunct faculty who came from the university’s partner hospitals and organizations. This illuminates the strong ties between VinUniversity and its partner hospitals, by creating opportunities for students to study under specialized clinical doctors. These lecturers will not only teach but also participate directly in VinUniversity’s research projects and student mentorship.

The program followed with the Student Recognition Ceremony for the 2021-2022 academic year, including the President’s List Award, EXCEL Award for students who excellently demonstrated the University’s core values, and Dean’s List Award.

We wish all students of the College of Health Sciences a meaningful new academic year full of memorable experiences and fantastic progress!